192 
Gardeners and Florists’ Annual for J9J8 
openings made with a stick. A systematic use of this poison invari- 
ably results in an almost complete extermination of Pine mice. These 
]>ests are also easily trapped, but owing to the extra time and labor 
required, this method does not compare favorably with poisoning. 
Rabbits can be exterminated by the use of powdered strychnine. 
Moles, Eradicating.— One of tlie worst and most persistent pests 
in gardens, nurseries, lawns and sometimes in greenhous'es, is the mole. 
There are several ways of trying to eradicate moles. First, and doubt- 
less best, is the use of traps, either wooden or iron, which are in several 
patterns, those best known being the Out o’ Sight, costing 75c. each; 
the Reddick, at $1; the Olmstead, $1.50; and the Nash mole trap, $1. 
The latter is used and recom- 
mended by the United States 
Agricultural Department. It is a 
light wire arrangement, and is 
highly spoken of. It acts upon 
the well-known principle of -the 
Choker wire traps used for mice. 
The makers are H. A. Nash & 
Sons, Vicksliurg, Mich.; but this 
and other traps may be had from 
seedsmen. It requires consider- 
able skiU to set a trap to the best 
advantage, and is an art not al- 
ways readily acquired. Where 
moles are numerous in highly culti- 
vated districts, a professional mole catcher is sometimes engaged. In 
gardens or nurseries it is Vvell to set the trap at the edge of the grounds 
or lawn, as it is there that the moles usually enter. Among the other 
means of riddance are these: placing fish heads in their runs; placing 
pieces of poisoned meat there, or moth balls. Castor Beans (Ricinus 
communis) are also largely recommended, being placed at intervals of 
20ft. apart or less. The Cornell University Experiment Station sug- 
gests trying the Caper Spurge (Euphorbia Lathyris). This plant is a 
native of Europe, but it has long been an inhabitant of old gardens 
in this country, and has run wild in. some of the Eastern States; at the 
same time no seedsman or nurseryman- appears to stock it. Poisoned fresh 
Corn, placed in their runs, is also recommended, a strychnine solution be- 
ing used. Lastly, carbon bisulp'hide, which is a deadly poisonous volatile 
liquid, may be poured into their runs at places, covering the opening 
over .again with the soil. The fumes permeate the soil and kill the 
moles. One can frequently catch or kill the moles as they work, by 
noticing the movement of the soil. The utmost caution has to be ex- 
ercised, as they hear the slightest noise. A spade or digging fork may 
be used to scoop in behind them at about 6in. from where they are 
working, and not in front, as they always run backward. The Depart- 
ment of Agriculture, in Farmers’ Bulletin, 583, 1914, suggested that a 
new minor industry might be established in this country by saving 
mole skins, as 3,000,000 skins were sold in this country in the years 1911, 
1912 and 1913, none of which were American. ' 
A Simple Mouse Trap 
(See notes on page 190) 
